This Senator Just Said Cat-Calling Is A ‘Compliment’ And People Are Dragging Him On Twitter

This just in: it is 2017 and for some reason, people still can’t seem to wrap their heads around the fact that catcalling is indeed harassment. Shocking.

This time, the issue was brought to our attention when Australian senator Malcolm Roberts decided that laws protecting women from wolf whistling and other forms of catcalling go a little too far.

https://twitter.com/MarkDiStef/status/843740163159154689

Roberts made it pretty clear that in his opinion, you can’t punish someone for a “compliment”:

Is a wolf-whistle harassment? It depends upon the person. Some girls think that that is wonderful, they, you know, they smile — others are offended. So wolf-whistle in one court are we going to outlaw it and another court we’re going to say it’s fine, a compliment?

He went on to say that verbal sexual harassment laws go “too far,” though he admits he really doesn’t know anything about the current sexual harassment laws.

Really, now?

If you can believe it, the internet wasn’t particularly charmed by Roberts and his comments. Probably because they’re human beings who have dealt with harassment before, unlike him, but what would I know? I’m not a senator. I’m merely a woman.

https://twitter.com/JennaGuillaume/status/843744969726738432

You didn’t know?

https://twitter.com/roisinmcgee/status/843745173192368128

But REALLY.

https://twitter.com/jpavlovic801/status/843742479203553282

https://twitter.com/alliwithdoubleL/status/843770102193373184

Honestly, this guy puts it pretty well if you ask me:

https://twitter.com/mkentwell/status/843744919369932800

Need I say more?